REFORMS to licensing laws in recent years have met with our approval. For far too long, legislation was steeped in a bygone age which was out of step with modern living and other countries.

The prospect of pubs opening to sell alcohol at breakfast time, however, may be a reform too far.

While we admire the tenacity of the pub landlord who has won his battle to open as early as 7am during the World Cup, we struggle to agree with his motive.

With all matches screened on terrestrial TV, pubs are not offering anything out of the ordinary. The case for the World Cup being a special occasion to warrant an extension to normal licensing hours is deeply flawed.

If pubs are so confident they will be a natural venue for people to gather to watch matches, why can't they be content to serve tea, coffee and toast?

We must not kid ourselves about the motive of the licensed trade.

The campaign for early morning opening is not borne out of a desire for freedom of choice, or fervent support for our national team, but is prompted by the desire to make money.

The ruling by the High Court will encourage people to start drinking at breakfast time, if only for the novelty of the occasion. The prospect for violence and disorder breaking out later in the day in our town and city centres will be significantly increased.